The conflict brewing in rural Sanders County in northwestern Montana centers on the federal indictment of Jake Ryan, 27, who is accused of conspiring against the government and damaging a sacred Native American site during the standoff at the Malheur national wildlife refuge.

Ryan’s parents now say they are weighing their options to try and prevent the arrest, while online, activists connected to the Oregon standoff are calling on supporters to prepare to back them in some kind of standoff.

When federal prosecutors filed a slew of fresh charges against the jailed protesters this month, officials also added a new defendant to the case, but redacted his name while he remained at large. A judge on Monday revealed that Ryan is the new suspect and unsealed the indictment after the suspect’s family learned of a federal arrest warrant.

Ryan is accused of conspiracy to impede US officers, possessions of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and depredation of government property. If convicted of all three felony charges, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

Reached by phone Monday night at his home in Plains, Montana, Jake’s father Dan Ryan said, “We’ve got stuff going on here that is in progress … We’re still considering what options there are.”

A federal official served a warrant to the family, according to Dan Ryan, who said he has had intermittent contact with his son and does not know where he is. He said he believed his son was present at the Oregon occupation for about two weeks.

“It’s something that we’ve never gone through before,” he said. “It’s pretty difficult.”

Jake’s mother, Roxsanna Ryan, added: “At this point, we’re trying to work with local people.”

Activists are demanding that the local Sanders County sheriff, Tom Rummel, stand up against the FBI and protect Jake Ryan from arrest.

In a press release Monday, Rummel expressed sympathy for the suspect, writing: “From the start of this, it has been my intention to make sure that Jake Ryan’s safety and rights are provided for, and I will continue to do just that … At this point in time, I have no evidence to suggest that Jake Ryan is in this county. At this time, I believe a peaceful resolution is being achieved and outside citizen involvement will not be needed.”

Reached by phone Tuesday morning, Cox said she was hopeful the sheriff would ensure that Jake Ryan avoids arrest and prosecution.

“It sounded to me like the sheriff was supporting defending the county from the feds coming in,” said Cox, who recently filed a counter lawsuit against the federal government. “The constitution says you protect the people. I’m in favor of them standing up for the constitution.”

The Oregon protesters have long argued that local county sheriffs have more authority than the federal government.

Rummel, who did not respond to a request for comment, said in his statement that he has received hundreds of emails and phone calls about Jake Ryan.

An FBI spokeswoman in Portland, Oregon confirmed that both Jake Ryan and Travis Cox, another Oregon suspect named in the recent federal indictment, have not been apprehended.